Comparative Study of Conditioning Capacities and Body Composition of Hungarian Youth National Team and Non-National Female Handball Players

Performance differences between female youth handball players selected for national teams and non-selected peers are often linked to strength, speed, and power. This study aimed to compare the conditioning capacities and body composition of national and non-national youth handball players. The sample included 36 female players (17.13 ± 1.75 years), 18 national and 18 position-matched non-national players. Anthropometry, sprint and change of direction ability, vertical jump, upper- and lower- body strength, aerobic capacity, and body composition were assessed using standard tests and bioimpedance analysis. Group differences were assessed using t-tests and Cohen’s d. National team players showed significantly greater jump height (p<0.001, d=1.408), higher relative peak power (p<0.001, d=1.644), and faster 20 m sprint times (p=0.004, d=-1.037). No significant differences were found in body composition or the other measured parameters, although a moderate Yo-Yo IRL1 effect size suggests a potential practical advantage. These results indicate that explosive power and linear speed are key discriminators for youth national-team selection.